Hull church in the giving spirit

Posted: Wednesday, December 01, 2010

By Wayne Ford

The afternoon of Nov. 17 was sunny and mild, much different than a few weeks before, when the Rev. Douglas Watkins stood out in the rain handing out fliers to let people know his congregation would give away turkey dinners for those who needed a meal on Thanksgiving.

As sunset neared, church members indeed had given away 500 turkey meals at Heaven Bound Ministries on Glenn Carrie Road in Hull.

Church co-pastor Melanie A. Taylor said the event was designed specifically to help those in need.

"This is something the Lord laid on his heart," Taylor said of Watkins' desire to help the community. "When he told us that Sunday, 'We want to provide turkey boxes for 500 families,' we had no means at the time, but people started donating funds to make this possible, and it has brought us here today."

Church members from elementary age to middle age all gathered at the church to help distribute the meals, which consisted of a frozen turkey and a box of side items.

Heaven Bound, which was founded in 2004, moved into its present facility in November 2005.

"We've been in the area going on six years, and it was time to do some work in the area," said Watkins, who over the years has helped his mother, Lena, with her program in Athens to help feed those in need at Thanksgiving. Six years ago, Emanuel Episcopal Church opened its kitchen and financial support to her, and that church delivers 300-400 plates on Thanksgiving, Watkins said.

"I've enjoyed serving with my mom for years, so it's second nature," he said. (While) I usually help my mom in Athens, I wanted to do something here, so I prayed about it.

"I spoke about it, and the people went to work and God blessed us. It came through," he said as he stood near the few boxes left.

Heaven Bound has about 80 members, and they rose to their minister's challenge.

"I wanted to bring it this year because I talked to friends of mine that work in the school system, and there is a great need in this area for support," Watkins said. "There are lots of churches here - we're not the only ones, but we want to get in there with everybody else. We don't want to say it; we want to do it.

"When I was at work this morning, I said, 'Lord, I know it will be a blessed day, a wonderful day.' I saw how the sun was coming out. When they say everything was coming together, this is what they mean."